Assemblyman Goldfeder Urges the Department of Environmental Protection to Respond to Flood Claims Submitted Almost a Year Ago

August 13, 2012

Faulty sewers caused many homes to flood during Hurricane Irene and now due to limit put in place by NYC Comptroller, time is running out to provide financial reimbursement to nearly 400 Queens Residents

Residents filled out all necessary flood claim information for potential city reimbursement, but lack of response from DEP put claims at risk

Goldfeder: Queens residents are getting soaked with bills and flooded in bureaucracy

Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Rockaway) recently sent a letter to Commissioner of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Carter Strickland, urging him to move forward on the property damage claims submitted to the New York City Comptroller’s office last summer as a result of damages sustained by Hurricane Irene. These damages affected 396 Queens residents, many of whom reside in Southern Queens and the Rockaways.

“Southern Queens and Rockaway residents were hit the hardest by Hurricane Irene and many local residents have waited nearly a year for relief from the damage,” said Assemblyman Goldfeder. “Time is of the essence in settling claims that would provide assistance to cover the costs associated with property damage due to city negligence.”

Many residents believe that damage caused to their homes during Hurricane Irene were due to faulty or clogged sewer lines controlled by New York City DEP. Residents are entitled to file a claim with the Comptrollers office to recoup out of pocket expenses that are deemed city responsibly.

As the claim form for ‘water damage or loss’ clearly indicates, “If your claim is not resolved within 1 year and 90 days from the date of the occurrence you must start legal action to preserve your rights.” Hurricane Irene took place on August 28, 2011, which leaves little time left for local residents to get a resolution before they are forced to spend additional money for legal fees, noted Assemblyman Goldfeder.

“Residents who filed a claim did so in a timely manner however, if their cases are not resolved within allotted time, they will incur additional legal fees to retrieve the money they are rightfully owed” said Assemblyman Goldfeder. “Rebuilding is not a luxury – it is a necessity. I urge Commissioner Strickland to provide the Comptroller’s office with the necessary information to properly access and provide immediate reimbursement where appropriate.”